Narcisse explains vote in favor and pledges accountability on transition plan
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse asks to explain her vote and says the city has debated horse-drawn carriages for years. She votes in favor, citing the Mahajan family's plea, but promises to hold the city accountable for a transition plan covering jobs, compensation, and horse care.
Narcisse.
Permission to explain my vote.
Permission granted.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for your leadership and the speaker.
And of course, Marty, I mean, Marty, my colleagues that really
It was not easy, but you made a decision.
And today I'm here.
You know, even though sometimes things are difficult, you have to make decisions and you have to wait everything.
And I'm a person that always strike a balance.
As a ER nurse, I always said, I don't want no one to die on my shift.
And unfortunately, things happen in life, but we have to make decisions.
This city has dedicated the, I mean,
debated the future of horse-drawn carriages for many years.
We're not new here, we've been doing it.
When Womage died earlier this year, his family came before us, this council, and asked us to make sure that no other family goes through what they've been going through.
I believe the time has come.
Even as difficult, the choices that we have to make, the decision of the future of the horses, and of course the workers, everyone matters in this picture.
And I'm so happy that the speaker understands that and she's ready to do that, to make sure that we strike a balance in this situation.
I also want to speak to the drivers.
Many of you have done this work for decades.
You have rent to pay and the horses to care for.
And this bill does not yet answer all.
how you get through this.
But this bill required the City Hall to deliver a transition plan by April 1st.
And we, myself personally, I will hold everyone accountable, including myself, because we care for all New Yorkers.
If that plan comes back without serious answers on jobs, compensation, and the care of the horses, I will gladly fight alongside of TWU Local 100.
And I mean it.
If I don't mean it, I will not say it.
These workers deserve a plan that actually takes care of them and will not let a week one, I will not let a week one make me regret the vote that I'm going to take today.
I support this ban, and I know I will work for these workers not finished yet.
And I promise you I will continue to fight.
And on that note, Madam Chair, I vote out.
Yes.